Grumpy the Gator

In Grumpy the Gator, a group of children playing encounter a grumpy alligator. The story teaches children to always keep a safe distance from animals in the wild, and to find an adult if they see an alligator.

Grumpy the Gator

Its Always A Story With The Hendersons

A breeze, coupons and a definite Godwink…

Preparing for the holidays can be fun and festive or stressful and gloomy. Our attitude in daily activities can show the true meaning of Christmas or it can show our own self centered thinking.

Recently, while gathering items to purchase in a local store, Alan walked to another area of the same store and checked on other things on the list. Finished shopping and walking to the checkout counter, Alan shared how he had encountered a very grouchy employee. We both commented how the store had recently changed management and employees were all new. We chatted about missing the previous employees as they were friendly and courteous. Usually our thoughts would be, “Maybe that person is having a bad day” or “Maybe because they are new to the store, nerves are causing them to be grouchy.”

Yet, on this day, I was in a rush to return home and take care of the next activity on the ever growing list for Christmas. Instead of my usual comments that would consider the grouchy person’s feelings, I turned grouchy, too.

Just as I was about to say something not so nice about the grouchy employee and how we should tell the person at the front counter, a strange, but not so strange thing happened.

In my right hand, I held 4 coupons ready to give to the cashier. My thinking is “Every little bit saved is a good thing.” As I began to extend my hand to present the coupons, a gentle breeze blew right to me and the coupons went flying in the air and scattered on the store carpet.

Instead of being irritated about dropping the coupons, I paused and noticed there was no door opening to let in a breeze, no person walking by to create a breeze, nothing to cause a breeze at all. Then, I smiled. God. Only God would send a gentle breeze to slip the coupons out of my hand in a way that made me pause and think about Him.

The grouchiness left me right then and there. A huge smile appeared on my face and I was able to greet this front desk employee with true joy. Β No sharing about the grouchy person Alan had encountered. I decided to pray for that person and all the new employees. We may never know what is happening in the life of a stranger.

There is always room for a smile and remembering the true meaning of Christmas. God loves us so much that He gave His only Son for us. John 3:16 is one of my favorite Scriptures.

God sent me a Godwink that day and I am thankful I paused and listened for His message.

Merry Christmas everyone! Remember you are truly cherished and loved by God.

Blessings,
Mimi

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48 Comments
  • Penny
    Posted at 13:50h, 19 December Reply

    I love when God sends a wink or a hug to remind us to think of him.

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 14:23h, 20 December Reply

      Me, too. God sends lots of winks and hugs. We need to be alert for those messages. Have a blessed day! Merry Christmas!

  • Jill Weatherholt
    Posted at 13:51h, 19 December Reply

    Thank you for the reminder of how important it is we pay attention to God’s little breezes. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Melissa! I hope next year, you and Licky will pay a guest visit to my blog. πŸ™‚

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 17:32h, 19 December Reply

      Thank you Jill. Licky the Lizard and I will be happy to visit your blog. πŸ™‚ Merry Christmas!

  • Carol Souders
    Posted at 14:24h, 19 December Reply

    Beautiful story. In these hurried days its good if we can pause, reflect and go forward in a positive way.

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 17:32h, 19 December Reply

      Yes, I agree. Pause, reflect and go forward in a positive way. Merry Christmas Carol! πŸ™‚

  • Rev. Art Stanley
    Posted at 14:53h, 19 December Reply

    Lovely thought, Mimi..the HS is using you to spread the “Good News” all around. MyLUV2U & family- ART S.

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 14:24h, 20 December Reply

      Thank you. We miss you very much. Have a blessed day and a Merry Christmas! πŸ™‚

  • Nancy E. Head
    Posted at 15:20h, 19 December Reply

    There’s a message I needed to hear today! Thank you and God bless!

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 17:36h, 19 December Reply

      Blessings Nancy! Have a Merry Christmas! Thank you for reading my blog posts. πŸ™‚

  • Lily Pierce
    Posted at 15:57h, 19 December Reply

    Cool story, Mimi, and Merry Christmas!

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 17:40h, 19 December Reply

      Thanks Lily! I hope you enjoy a Merry Christmas! πŸ™‚

  • Savoring Sixty and Beyond
    Posted at 16:00h, 19 December Reply

    Your faith is so inspiring!

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 17:40h, 19 December Reply

      You are so kind! Have a blessed Christmas! πŸ™‚

  • Emily Saxe | To Unearth
    Posted at 16:01h, 19 December Reply

    I love when God sends us those needed reminders. πŸ™‚ Thanks for sharing this with us!

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 17:41h, 19 December Reply

      God does work in amazing ways to send us reminders to show His love. πŸ™‚ Have a blessed Christmas!

  • Chip
    Posted at 16:24h, 19 December Reply

    I have moments like this all the time…probably because I’m a perpetual grouch πŸ™‚ In any case, God is gracious and often interrupts my downward spiral. Today I was stuck in traffic behind a slowpoke. Then I finally got around the person only to be slowed by a school bus. I’ll chalk it up to God making me drive slower. Thanks for the reminder!1

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 14:25h, 20 December Reply

      Amazing how God speaks to us at any time, even in traffic. Have a Merry Christmas!

  • Julie
    Posted at 17:03h, 19 December Reply

    God likes to send us His little winks, doesn’t He!?!

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 14:25h, 20 December Reply

      Yes, God is amazing and I believe He enjoys sending us His winks. πŸ™‚ Merry Christmas!

  • Jessica Brodie
    Posted at 22:48h, 19 December Reply

    What a beautiful reminder. Thank you for this, Melissa!

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 14:26h, 20 December Reply

      Thank you Jessica. Have a wonderful day and a blessed Christmas! πŸ™‚

  • Richard Burke
    Posted at 02:15h, 20 December Reply

    Bravo! God is doing things like that to all of us, but if we’re not keeping in constant contact (AKA dialogue, close personal relationship 24/7/365) with Him, we miss a lot of joy! Obviously, in your case, I’m preaching to the choir!

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 14:27h, 20 December Reply

      I pray that I am alert to His messages at all times. I know I fail to listen at times and miss very important messages. But, I will keep trying. πŸ™‚ Have a blessed day! Merry Christmas!

  • Yvonne
    Posted at 03:21h, 20 December Reply

    Another great story to remind us the importance of seeing those around us. Merry Christmas.

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 14:27h, 20 December Reply

      Thank you Yvonne. Have a blessed Christmas! πŸ™‚

  • Karen Jurgens
    Posted at 05:06h, 20 December Reply

    Lovely story, Mimi, to remind us to stop and focus on God before we let out our emotions. This time of year we can all get frustrated and upset when things go wrong or unexpected. There is too much to do for everyone! Thank God that Jesus is patient and kind to us. He is our true model. May we all grow more like Jesus daily! Have a blessed Christmas, sweet friend. 😘❀️

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 14:28h, 20 December Reply

      Thank you dear Karen. You brighten my day. Have a blessed day and a Merry Christmas! πŸ™‚

  • karentfriday
    Posted at 15:59h, 20 December Reply

    Wow, what a great story. Love how you received a Godwink. It is easy to lose our focus and joyful sentiments at times, especially during the hustle and bustle of Christmas. I pray God sends us those breezes that distract us long enough to focus on Him and giving grace to others. Merry Christmas!

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 16:03h, 20 December Reply

      I pray I am always on alert for His messages. πŸ™‚ Merry Christmas!

  • Stephen De La Vega
    Posted at 16:47h, 21 December Reply

    What a story, Melissa! It’s so good that you considered that God was getting your attention. It’s a great day when we see recognize God’s involvement in detail. God bless you and Alan this Christmas as you encounter grinches along the way. πŸ™‚

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:53h, 21 December Reply

      Thank you so much for your kind words. Have a blessed day and a blessed Christmas! πŸ™‚

  • Marcie Cramsey
    Posted at 18:55h, 21 December Reply

    Great story. God is like that, He will interrupt us and help us refocus. Thank for sharing your life with us, Melissa! πŸ™‚

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 19:06h, 21 December Reply

      Thank you Marcie. As I am watching the strong winds blow the palm trees back and forth, I feel a message coming from God. πŸ™‚ I’ll be ready for His message. Merry Christmas!

  • tlhpink
    Posted at 18:02h, 22 December Reply

    What a beautiful message. Thanks, Melissa!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 22:19h, 22 December Reply

      Thank you. Have a Merry Christmas!

  • adalaba@comcast.net
    Posted at 21:04h, 22 December Reply

    It’s so good to keep other’s needs and concerns in the forefront of our minds. Things aren’t always as they seem, are they? Great post! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 22:24h, 22 December Reply

      Thank you. Merry Christmas to you and your family! πŸ™‚

  • Christina Dronen
    Posted at 01:04h, 23 December Reply

    Definitely must’ve been the Holy Spirit! I think scattered coupons at that point would’ve pushed me the other way – into full grouch mode!~ But that’s how we know it’s the Holy Spirit, right? It makes no sense – uncommon grace.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 01:49h, 23 December Reply

      I am thankful for God’s messages coming in many different ways, even using coupons. πŸ™‚ Merry Christmas!

  • Anne Mackie Morelli
    Posted at 20:15h, 23 December Reply

    Melissa, I had not previously heard the expression “God wink” to describe such moments. But it is a delightful expression! Have a blessed Christmas.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 23:03h, 23 December Reply

      There are Godwink books and a Godwink Facebook page. Wonderful stories that touch the heart. Merry Christmas! πŸ™‚

  • vickie
    Posted at 20:23h, 23 December Reply

    I love little breezes and I need to feel them more often that’s for sure! Such a wonderful post. Have a Merry Christmas!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 23:04h, 23 December Reply

      Thank you Vickie. Have a wonderful, blessed Merry Christmas!

  • stephaniemgammon
    Posted at 21:31h, 23 December Reply

    I love your transparency and God’s faithfulness. Very convicting post. We can all be more mindful to spread God’s love. Thank you!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 23:04h, 23 December Reply

      Thank you Stephanie. Have a blessed Christmas! πŸ™‚

  • jmshistorycorner
    Posted at 09:22h, 28 December Reply

    Amazing the ways Yah/God will find to speak to us.

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